MAC Readers’ Theater Group

on

 The MAC Readers’ Theater Group will present a series of poems, skits, short stories and excerpts on Monday, November 20 at 1:00 pm at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center. This free event is open to all, with no registration required to attend the reading. For a small fee, guests can also enjoy lunch beforehand at 12:00 pm. Those interested in joining the lunch must register by Friday, November 17 at 12:00 pm. To register for lunch, contact the Community Center at 508-748-3570. The Community Center is located at 465 Mill Street (Rt. 6) in Marion. View online at marionartcenter.org/events.

            The members of the MAC Readers’ Theater Group volunteer their time to bring the theater experience to spaces outside of the Marion Art Center walls in line with the MAC’s mission to provide accessible programming to all. Would you like the group to present to your organization or perform in your space? Interested in participating in the readings? Email info@marionartcenter.org with “readers’ theater” in the subject line.

Virginia Cornelia de Ronde Becher

on

Virginia Cornelia de Ronde Becher, of Hamden, Connecticut and formerly of Marion, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in the early hours of Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the age of 82 after a long illness.

            Virginia was born in Manhattan, New York on February 17, 1941 to Marguerite Tansey de Ronde and Richard Peter de Ronde. She was raised in Bayport, New York alongside her younger siblings Richard and Denise. In her early teens, Virginia lived with extended family members in The Netherlands, learning Dutch, attending school and sparking a lifelong love for the country of her ancestors.

            Following her return to the United States, Virginia graduated from Bayport High School in 1959 and subsequently obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Keuka College in 1963 and a Master of Library Science from Pratt Institute in 1964. She established a rewarding career as a librarian at American Education Publications, the publishers of My Weekly Reader, from 1965 to 1967 in Middletown, Connecticut.

            In 1967, Virginia married Robert MacAdoo Becher at Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church in Sayville, New York. Following a move to Massachusetts and Robert’s establishment of a general surgical practice in southeastern Massachusetts, Virginia and Robert raised their children Katherine and Robert in Canton, Massachusetts, eventually moving full time to Marion, Massachusetts, where they had previously spent summers since 1984.

            Virginia was an active member and leader of many charitable, community, educational and ecclesiastical organizations, including Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, The Fortnightly Club of Brockton, The Beverly Yacht Club, Blue Hill Montessori School, Noble & Greenough School, The Park School, Thayer Academy, Fuller Craft Museum, WGBH Boston, Faith in Serving Humanity and the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church.

            Virginia loved to cook for her family and friends, needlepoint, read, travel, eat French Toast with real maple syrup, do water aerobics and yoga, go to the beach, host gracious Christmas gatherings, sing and meet new people. Her sense of direction and ability to navigate without a map are legendary. She avoided eating fruit at any cost.

            Virginia is survived by her husband, children and siblings; son-in-law Marc de Mul and daughter-in-law Daniela Hochreiter; and grandchildren Willem and Eleonor de Mul and Franziska and Otto Becher.

            A light has been extinguished with Virginia’s passing, though her elegant spirit will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of all who knew her and seek to emulate her superior ability to listen, curiosity, warm kindness, open-mindedness, ability to see the best in people, patience, unwavering ethical bearing and ever-embracing love.

            A memorial service celebrating Virginia’s life is scheduled for Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 11:00 am at Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion, MA. Condolences may be sent to The Whitney Center at 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, Connecticut, 06517, attention Robert Becher. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a local public library in Virginia’s name.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

on

It is always fascinating to me how far an article I’ve written for our local news magazines can travel. In October of 2021, I wrote about two navy planes that crashed while doing practice maneuvers over Mary’s Pond. Recently, I received an email from Eric Wiberg who is involved with an organization that looks for the lost aircraft of World War II.

            Hearing that a loved one, fighting in a war, is missing in action after his plane has crashed is one step away from the horror of learning that he or she has been killed. As I have mentioned before, scrapbooks kept by Rochester residents in the 1940’s contain many newspaper clippings concerning local servicemen. There are two clippings I found that tell of two Rochester pilots shot down over Italy and who were listed as missing in action. Fortunately for their families, they were later discovered in German prisoner of war camps.

            Not all plane crashes happened in combat. Another Rochester flier died when his plane crashed during training in Louisiana. The crash over Mary’s Pond is another example of a training tragedy. Back to Mr. Wiberg who wrote to tell me of a naval pilot, Lt. j. g. Arthur J. Cassidy (1919-3/30/43.)

            Lt. Cassidy flew with the Fighting Squadron 41 in Operation Torch during the invasion of North Africa and survived two mishaps in that campaign. Back in the U.S., he married Marie Magdalaine Marchesseault in Cranston in March of 1943. That same month he was on a mission on the aircraft carrier, USS Ranger CV-4, 100 miles SW of Cape Ann/Gloucester to Quonset airport near Newport.

            In his single engine Grumman F4-F Wildcat along with the other pilots on the USS Ranger, he launched from the carrier to escape an upcoming blizzard. Both he and his plane were never seen again.

            Mr. Wiberg is interested in any sightings of plane wreckage that might have been sighted in any of our ponds, bogs or swamps at any time since 1943. If anyone has heard of any such discoveries over the years, his email is cmsmailer@civicplus.com.

By Connie Eshbach

Sippican Woman’s Club

on

Sippican Woman’s Club members and guests are headed to New Bedford. Join us for lunch, meeting and tour of the New Bedford Glass Museum at The Wamsutta Club, 427 County Street, New Bedford on Friday, November 10.  Lunch served at 11:30 am. During dessert, a business meeting will be held, followed by tour at 1:00 pm.  Kirk Nelson, President and Director of the Museum will lead us on a tour and explain the technology of working glass.  During the Victorian Era, New Bedford was renowned as the “Art Glass Headquarters of the Country.” The Museum houses over 7,000 examples of glass. You’ll have an opportunity to survey the history of glass from ancient times to the present. $30 for lunch, guests $7 for tour. Lunch reservations required. Contact Lorraine Charest at 508-763-2842 or Email lcharest59@gmail.com.

            The Sippican Woman’s Club meets once a month during the months of September through March on the second Friday of the month. On Saturday, December 9 from 10 am to 3 pm, the club, along with participating homeowners, will hold its traditional 33rd Holiday House Tour. Tour plans are underway with the guidance of Carolyn Kenney VP, Fundraising. We welcome visitors to our meetings. Club membership is open to any woman who is able to meet the membership criteria and whose interests include the Town of Marion. For further information, please visit our website: www.sippicanwomansclub.org

Consensus Waits on Bedroom Definition

on

            The Marion Board of Health didn’t disagree during its October 19 public meeting about the definition of a bedroom as much as whether the town should be increasing its involvement beyond the application of state regulations that already exist.

            For Board of Health purposes, a bedroom is defined to help establish what is necessary for the size of a septic system.

            Dr. Ed Hoffer, the chairman of the Marion Board of Health, alluded to interaction with Building Commissioner Bob Grillo when noting how Title 5 compliance could be tied into the board’s vetting of a bedroom count.

            “We’re starting to become the secret police of the sewer systems in the town. I really object to it,” said board member Albin Johnson. “I think it’s sufficient to go with Title 5, definitions that we currently have. We can’t really keep going back on people after they’ve built the house and check on everything they’ve done or what they’re going to do. You have to rely on the people because, when you buy real estate, you buy a certain bundle of rights with that piece of real estate.”

            Johnson also pointed to existing regulations and fire laws.

            “I hear you,” said Hoffer, but he posed a hypothetical. “Somebody buys a three-bedroom house with a septic system approved for three bedrooms, and they have eight kids and start converting all usable rooms in the house for bedrooms. Do you not see that as a problem?”

            Johnson said that, theoretically, a family could buy six air mattresses and place them anywhere in a house.

            “We’re getting down to being too specific, I think,” he said. “I know that when we did the Title 5 revamp in the ’90s, they agonized over, ‘do we do it on the number of bedrooms or do we do it on the number of bathrooms with Title 5?’ And they opted to do it with the number of bedrooms. Now we’re going back and revisiting the number of bedrooms, and that’s all well and good. But, once you’ve given them the certificate of occupancy, do you really have the right to back and ask, ‘what are you really using that room for?’ … I think it’s …” “Overly intrusive?” Hoffer asked. “Overly intrusive,” Johnson said.

            Board member Dr. John Howard clarified Title 5 as a state regulation based on the size of the leaching field and the septic system. Pointing out that the state has defined a bedroom as 70 square feet, he suggested the board go with that and not try to modify it.

            “More and more we’re going with tiny houses … they’re being built a lot now,” said Howard. “I’m not sure what that means, but it’s probably going to mean smaller rooms, smaller bedrooms. Maybe more people in a bedroom. I think we have to be aware that that’s coming.”

            Having recently done clinic work at the military base where migrants are being held, Howard described their housing as very nice but very small. Designed for transient soldiers, the housing is more densely populated. Howard said his own house has been designated as three bedrooms. Three people now live in the house, but before he bought it eight lived there, one of the bedrooms having had two double bunkbeds. The house has two full bathrooms and a half bathroom.

            “I hate, as we go into high-cost housing and homelessness, I hate to say to the previous family or the family that may succeed … may purchase my home at some point, that you can’t have two double bunks in that bedroom. I don’t want to do that, and yet the septic system is getting the advantage of eight people …”

            Howard estimates with guests that even more used the house.

            Hoffer said that while Howard knew with just three residents the septic would be adequate, it’s more complicated for a family of four moving into a “four-bedroom house” only to see the septic system fail and then learn that replacing that system requires an expensive upgrade.

            In attendance, Building Commissioner Bob Grillo noted the state’s definition of any room being 70 square feet minimum and in noting hypothetical details such as a 6-foot opening, said implementing regulations becomes problematic.

            “The problem I have and the reason I asked if you could create a policy on this is that a lot of people come to me with these questions, and not that I should be able to answer every question for everybody, but it should be a simple thing to say, ‘by Board of Health regulations it meets this criteria so it’s going to have to go before them for a new septic or review or a deed restriction.’ Whatever you decide is appropriate,” said Grillo, who cited three examples from the week before the October 19 meeting.

            One was an application to place a bathroom in a garage office. He asked, does the town want to make somebody who wants an office space upgrade their system. Grillo said new constructions are relatively simple, while additions are tricky. People want to know if they want to put a room above a garage if it will be considered a bedroom and require a septic upgrade.

            “I was a builder for 30 years and I think less restriction is better, but something like that is prudent because it covers future owners,” said Grillo. “If it looks like it’s a four-bedroom house and it’s really only a three-bedroom septic design, it’s really hard for someone to figure that out. But if there’s a deed restriction on it, they can figure it out really easy.”

            Furthermore, Grillo said that commercial properties have occupancy limits and can therefore design septic accordingly. In residential properties, there are no occupancy limits.

            While Johnson reiterated his stance that a municipal policy would be intrusive, Hoffer said the board is “not going in” but only informing a homeowner that an addition should come with a deed restriction so that the next buyer knows they are not buying a four-bedroom house but a three-bedroom house with an office.

            “I just don’t like the idea of burdening a deed with another,” said Johnson. “Is there a real problem? I don’t see the problem.”

            Grillo said his only concern is with the resale of a home under false pretenses.

            The 25-minute discussion ended with the matter being tabled with the intention of reaching a consensus at the next Board of Health meeting on November 1.

            In her update to the board, Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez shared information that led the board to approve a septic upgrade at 618D Delano Road. The applicant’s representative designed the system for five bedrooms based on a 1990 addition.

            Rodriguez is looking to schedule an inspection at 28 Pitcher Street in hopes of closing out that concern. She reported that there is no longer wildlife on the property.

            The board approved a two-week extension for the trailer at 357 Point Road.

            In her update, Public Health Director/Nurse Lori Desmarais reported that there have been 164 West Nile positive mosquitoes in Massachusetts in 2023, and a fourth human case was diagnosed in Norfolk County. Marion had one positive mosquito found in September.

            There have been positive mosquitoes carrying Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, none infecting humans.

            Before the October 19 board meeting, the town conducted a flu-vaccine clinic for approximately 40 people at Sippican Elementary School. Marion had already distributed 450 vaccines this season. No more clinics are scheduled at this time, but residents can call the Health Department and schedule a vaccine. Howard said the flu going around this year is Type A, which is very receptive to the vaccine.

            With 110 residents declaring interest, Desmarais reported having ordered the Modern COVID-19 booster. A November 9 drive-through clinic has been tentatively scheduled with November 16 as a backup date. A Pfizer representative told Desmarais that a clinic can be held at Little Neck Village. Desmarais anticipates the clinic being open to others.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, November 2, at 4:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Captain Lawrence J. O’Pezio

on

Captain Lawrence J. O’Pezio, 89, of Melbourne, Florida passed away on November 1, 2023. He was born February 21, 1934 to the late Victor and Mary O’Pezio of Bay Shore, N.Y. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Janice (Jan) Heintzelman O’Pezio. Larry attended Bay Shore High School and then went on to graduate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy 1956. Captain O’Pezio had a distinguished career in the U. S. Coast Guard highlighted by a year of coastal patrols in Vietnam and as a “sailor’s sailor” he was Commanding Officer of the USCGC Vigilant and then the USCGC Chase which at the time was the largest and newest vessel in the Coast Guard’s fleet.

            Upon retirement from the Coast Guard Larry found relaxation in listening to classical music and attending performances of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. He also enjoyed building his model airplanes, doing jigsaw puzzles and attempting to finish the always difficult NY Times crossword puzzle. He was also a pretty decent pasta maker.

            Larry is survived by two sons. Michael and his wife Kathy of Chesapeake, VA. Thomas and his partner Rosemarie Xavier of Mattapoisett, MA. Four granddaughters, Heather O’Pezio and her partner Colin Spencer of Norfolk, VA. Danielle del Rosario and her husband Brandon del Rosario of  Chesapeake, VA. Elizabeth O’Pezio and her partner Ross Macedo of Fairhaven, MA and Caroline O’Pezio of Mattapoisett, MA. A great-grandson Glenn del Rosario and a great-granddaughter Charlie Rose Macedo. He is also survived by his brother Captain Robert and Sharron O’Pezio of Atlantic Beach, FL.

            Contributions can be made in his memory to South Guild of Brevard Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 361965, Melbourne, Fl. 32936-1965.

            Beckman-Williamson Funeral home of Rockledge, FL is assisting family with future arrangements.

James C. Holden

on

James C. Holden, age 86, of Mattapoisett died peacefully on Saturday November 4, 2023, in his home alongside his loving wife of 63 years Patricia (Fielding) Holden whom he completely adored.

            He was born in New Bedford, MA on July 26, 1937, to Gardner and Hilda (Viera) Holden. He was raised in the West End of New Bedford where he later raised his own family. Jim often told his grandchildren stories of hunting with his best friend George just steps from where they both lived. From 1956 -1958, Jim served in the Army Airborne Division as a Paratrooper. He kept his service private for most of his life, but Jim shared his experiences more often during his later years.

            Jim spent his life tirelessly working on the shoreside of the fishing industry where he made many memories and close friends. He retired as General Manager of Hathaway Braley Wharf Co. and President of Nice Ice, following a career working for his family business, Holden and Padelford Ice Co. Jim was known as a hardworking, trustworthy and savvy business man, unafraid to say what he believed. Whether by the pool or over a cup of coffee, he enjoyed sharing stories of New Bedford’s waterfront. Jim was an avid golfer, outdoorsman, and a friend of Bill W.

            Jim’s greatest achievement was his family. He was a dedicated husband to his wife, Pat, who cared for him until the moment that he passed. Jim and Pat enjoyed hosting friends and family, dining out, and spending the colder months in Florida. Jim’s toughness was only rivaled by his love for his children and their children. He cherished the relationships that he had with each of his daughters. Jim was most proud of his grandchildren. Among the greatest gifts he gave to his family was time – being ever present in moments of need and celebration.

            James Holden is survived by his loving wife Patricia; his sister Carolyn (Holden) and her husband Gardner Greany; his children Karen (Holden) Nitsche and Debra (Holden) and husband Robert Gomes; three grandchildren, James Gomes, Justin and his wife Katie Gomes, and Jonathan Gomes; and great-grandchildren, Greyson Ellis Gomes and Josephine Day Gomes. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Craig Nitsche; his brother Richard and his wife Barbara Holden; his sister Constance; and his parents, Gardner and Hilda Holden.

            At Jim’s request, his services will be private. His family is especially grateful to his care teams at Tufts Medical Center and the Providence VA Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to the Veterans Transition House, 1297 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Christmas on Church Street

on

The Mattapoisett Congregational Church’s annual Holiday Fair will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 9 am to 1 pm in Reynard Hall at 27 Church Street in Mattapoisett. This year’s event will include homemade frozen foods, baked treats, hand knitted and crafted items, Christmas/holiday decorations, gift items, greenery for wreaths as well as jewelry, silent auction items, a kids’ table and a delicious hot soup luncheon. All proceeds benefit the ministries of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. For additional information, please contact the church office at 508-758-2671 or mattcongchurch@gmail.com.

Veterans Day

on

On Saturday, November 11, Veterans Day, various town organizations will hold commemorative services to honor the millions of American men and women who have served in uniform, from the Revolutionary War through today and the ways in which their services to this great nation have provided us with the freedom and lives we live and enjoy today.

            At 11:00 am, in the area around the Mattapoisett Congregational Church and Center School, village residents and others who cannot make it to the official ceremonies conducted by the Town and its veterans’ organizations at Old Hammondtown School earlier in the morning, can gather with the members of the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club to hear the church’s bell toll in honor of our veterans.

            The Bell Remembrance Ceremony is offered through the support of the Florence Eastman American Legion Post 280 and the Doughboy Foundation so that residents proximate to that area at 11:00 am can experience, yet again, the tolling of the 21 Bells of Freedom that marks the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI, a.k.a. the war to end all wars, at 11:00 am on Saturday.

            Residents are invited to participate in both remembrance ceremonies – either at 10:45 am or 11:00 am on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11.

Holidays You May Have Forgotten

on

            If you have been paying very close attention, you will know that the holidays are quickly approaching. I saw my first Christmas shopping ad on television back on October 21. On the 23rd, that big city newspaper north of here ran a 36-point, bold-faced headline proclaiming “Just 62 Shopping Days Left“! And on the 24th, I noticed that our local sub sandwich shop had a jingle bell wreath hanging on the door. Please, it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet.

            This premature, forced advancement of the holiday spirit has naturally spiked this scribe’s interest in holidays. There are 12 official federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Inauguration Day (every four years and it is too early to talk about that, too, so let us not), Washington’s Birthday (which is the same thing as President’s Day), Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Juneteenth, which recognizes the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. That covers six months of the year. There is Independence Day, Columbus Day (which may soon be known as Indigenous Peoples Day), Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and, of course, Christmas to close out the aforementioned gift buying season.

            Individual states have their own holidays, as do many religions. Then there is Flag Day, Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Kwanzaa, which are not official holidays, and of course Festivus for the rest of us (google it.)

            Bet you didn’t know there are 365 unofficial  holidays, one for every day of the year. No doubt you have heard of National Popcorn Day, (January 19.) I think the movie-theater operators invented that one, National Baby Boomers Recognition Day (August 17 Hurrah!), and National Eat Beans Day, which ought to be an official holiday. Maybe they could place National Garlic Eating Day next, making for a nice long weekend where no one has to be at work.

            I can go on and I think I will.

            Foods have many celebratory days. One of my favorites is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, though Chocolate Covered Everything Day on December 16 comes in a close second. There are also National Spaghetti, Peanut Brittle, Carrot Cake days, followed soon after by Bacon and then Potato Lovers Days.

            National Clam Chowder Day is surely popular around these parts. National Taco Day, Noodle Day, Cheese Day and Pasta Day are all in October. Oh, and I forgot, National Baloney Day, which was October 24. (That would be the food, not columnist’s day.) Don’t forget National Pickle Day. Surely someone will soon declare a National Pickle Ball Day.

            I discovered that there is a National Rubber Ducky day, which will forever be close to my heart as I once worked at the Hagen Toy Factory on Barstow Street, stuffing whistles in ducks’ … never mind.

            National Bubble Day is January 8, followed shortly by National Bubble Bath Day on the 30th. Shouldn’t they be reversed? You could take a nice bath on National Goof off Day. If you are upset with someone and need to tell them to go fly a kite (please not me), National Go Fly a Kite Day is February 8. I haven’t noticed any kite flyers in these parts in the snowy days of February, but you never know. You might have guessed that April 15, Tax Day, is also National Clown Day. And, if you see someone named Joe, wish him happy birthday as March 27 is National Joe Day.

            If you have more energy than I, you may even find more than I have, but I’m finally celebrating National Lazy Day. It was on August 10, but it really is every day for me.

            Editor’s note: Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and retired newspaper columnist whose musings are, after some years, back in The Wanderer under the subtitle “Thoughts on ….” Morgado’s opinions have also appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado